American Heart Association

The center of the track was a sea of red as our P.E. Teacher Stu Maynard organized a fabulous fundraiser on Friday for the American Heart Association - PAML's First Annual (we hope) Ultimate Frisbee Tournament.  Multi-grade teams formed and friendly rivalries sprouted up!  We had an awesome afternoon with High School students as referees, and onlookers cheering.  When all was said and done close to $600.00 was raised for the American Heart Association!  Way to go PAML!

Summer Reading Slide....

Summer Reading Slide...how to help prevent it!  Here's an article shared with me by Barbara Saxe, our Reading Specialist - I thought it might be of interest to you:

How do we prevent this “Summer Slide” and provide all of our children with summer reading opportunities? Here are some suggestions: Be sure your child reads at least 20 minutes a day.  According to research, a child who reads only 1 minute a day outside of school will learn 8,000 words by the end of sixth grade where a student who reads 20 minutes outside of school will learn 1,800,000 words!  If reading isn't one of your child's top priorities, you may need to set up an incentive program.  Set a good example.  When your child sees you reading and enjoying a book or a newspaper article, you are sending a message that reading is important and valuable. Read with your child. Explore different types of reading such as poetry.  For our little ones, poetry is a great way to improve phonemic awareness skills as poetry often incorporates rhyme.  For our older children, poetry is a means of improving fluency. Read for different purposes.  Reading directions for a recipe or directions for assembling a toy are fun ways of incorporating reading into everyday activities.  Talk to your child about what he or she is reading. Ask open-ended questions such as “What do you think about that story?” “What would you have done if you were that character?” Make reading and writing a regular part of your daily home activities. Visit the public library. Participate in their Summer Reading Program.  Play word games such as thinking of different words to describe the same things. Set reasonable limits for television viewing.  For a more in-depth look at the "Summer Slide" research, read this article by our esteemed advisor, Dr. Timothy Rasinski.  http://www.reading.org/downloads/publications/RTsummer1_Mraz.pdf Stay cool and read! Rachel Rachel D. Ring    Reading Plus®

Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative

     
     Next year there will be some available spots for 8th grade students to take an on-line High School class through the Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC). If they take a class and successfully complete it, they will receive an elective credit on their High School Transcript.  It is an exciting opportunity for students who are able to keep up with their studies, and want to challenge themselves a bit.  
      Next week, Claudia Larrow and Carrie Felice (PA High School Guidance Counselor) will be talking with 7th graders about this option for next year.  Most students do the work of the VTVLC during their Experts Time or at home outside of school, if they are in Band/Chorus classes.  It is something to consider.  You can look at their website here:  VTVLC.  If you have questions about this, please contact Claudia Larrow.  Students may sign up this spring, early next fall, or even later next year, if they want to take a 1/2 year class that starts in January.  Something to think about!

PAML and Vermont Public Radio

Last week PAML was featured on a Vermont Public Radio segment of a week-long series they produced about middle school and the DCF book Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  This is a fabulous book that many students at PAML have read.  Take 10 minutes and listen to this segment.  And if you like it, listen to the other segments capturing various aspects of middle school life connected with other schools around the state.

PAML and Vermont Public Radio

A Taste of Asia

Bill Fishell teaches a popular Expert Class called A Taste of Asia.  The students learn a lot about Asia, and one of their favorite things to learn is about the food.  

Nina Zheng hosted our Taste of Asia Expert yesterday at her restaurant New Fu Lin's yesterday.  Here are some pictures of the kids learning to make Chinese dumplings and crab rangoon.  What a fine opportunity for our crew.

Unbound Class - Shelter Building / Wilderness Survival

A new Unbound Class happened this season; Wilderness Survival!  The students were taught by Denise Krause about different aspects of this topic and recently completed a Shelter which they built out on the trails.  Virginia Sanford also helped with the classes.  Below are a few photos of the shelter building process.

~ Spring Concert ~

PAML will be having their Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 20th at 6:30.  This is expected to be quite an enjoyable evening of Chorus music, Band and Jazz Band performances.  Please plan to attend, even if you don't have a student participating - it's a great event.